Complex Nature

Five artists are featured in Complex Nature, opening at The Iridian Gallery at Diversity Richmond September 9, 2016. The works by Kathryn Baines, Bill Fisher, Mary Fleming, Eli McMullen and Eric Yevak are passionate, violent, anxious, emotional and intuitive representations of personal struggles by the artists.

Mary Fleming curated the show for Capital One Art Program's LGBT Pride Month exhibition. Fleming, a longtime LGBTQ+ ally and advocate, selected artists whose works are imbued with the energy and motivation required to rise above adversity and achieve wholeness. For the past two years, Capital One has partnered with The Iridian Gallery to craft their Pride Month exhibit.

The mission of The Iridian Gallery is to foster lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer+ artists and their community by exhibiting their art as well as work that relates to their experience.

The Iridian Gallery is one of Diversity Richmond's many education and advocacy programs. The organization envisions a community where LGBTQ+ citizens are treated with respect and dignity, and their unique gifts are championed and celebrated, thereby strengthening our community.

Just a few days after Christmas, Caroline and brother sat in her car while running errands. Music was playing from Caroline’s iPhone and her brother went to change the song. That’s when he noticed her phone’s background, a rainbow-clad image associated with LGBTQ pride. Without warning, he asked his sister, “Are you gay?”